Star Wars Trilogy

In the first film, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) gets to live out every boy's dream: ditch the farm and rescue a princess (Carrie Fisher). Accompanied by the roguish Han Solo (Harrison Ford, the only principal who was able to cross over into stardom) and trained by Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), Luke finds himself involved in a galactic war against the Empire and the menacing Darth Vader (David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones). The following film, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), takes a darker turn as the tiny rebellion faces an overwhelming onslaught. Directed by Irvin Kershner instead of Lucas, Empire is on the short list of Best Sequels Ever, marked by fantastic settings (the ice planet, the cloud city), the teachings of Yoda, a dash of grown-up romance, and a now-classic "revelation" ending. The final film of the trilogy, Return of the Jedi (1983, directed by Richard Marquand), is the most uneven. While the visual effects had taken quantum leaps over the years, resulting in thrilling speeder chases and space dogfights, the story is an uneasy mix of serious themes (Luke's maturation as a Jedi, the end of the Empire-rebellion showdown) and the cuddly teddy bears known as the Ewoks.

Years later, George Lucas transformed his films into "special editions" by adding new scenes and special effects, which were greeted mostly by shrugs from fans. They were perfectly happy with the films they had grown up with (who cares if Greedo shot first?), and thus disappointed by Lucas's decision to make the special editions the only versions available. --David Horiuchi

Well, if you really need to ask that question, you're obviously not a Star Wars fan. Without a doubt, there movies have become immortal for one reason: they have ressurected the myth genre. While the Greeks and Romans had their famous mythologies, Aesop had his fables, and the Britsh had King Arthur, the last generation of the 20th Century has Star Wars.

We were raised on Star Wars. Dreams of becoming a Jedi were as common as future proffessions such as doctor or policeman back at my grade school. I doubt a day went by between my fourth and tenth years of life where the accolades of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, R2 and 3PO weren't acted out in my daily play with my friends. We didn't play "Cowboys and Indians." We played "Rebels and Imperials." We didn't have gun fights, we battled each other with whatever could substitute for a lightsaber.

In retrospect, now that I'm all grwon up, I'm thankful for Lucas for what he gave me. These movies laid of a simple play of good versus evil. In the end, the quest for virtue will always triumph over the greed of evil. They also taught me that if you believe in yourself and have faith a higher power, you can accomplish anything. For this, you will see me ordering this trilogy every time it is released. Not just for the "Episode II Behind-The-Scenes" stuff, but basically to give the well-worn copies I already own a break. Thank you, Mr. Lucas. You've brought great joy into my life and helped to teach me the values I have today. Though I don't have children yet, I'm sure that when they come along, they will be living out the same fantasies I did a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

P.S. Where's the DVDs?


Improvement over the Special Editions   September 16, 2004
Christopher Minjoot (Singapore)
26 out of 29 found this review helpful

I have just received and watched the DVD trilogy back-to-back. I grew up with Star Wars (was 11 when the first one came out) and must admit that nostalgia is a powerful thing. It is great to have all 3 films in one handy package ... but if Lucas is not going to rerelease the films in their original versions, then you had better hang on to your old laserdiscs and VHS tapes and I don't mean the Special Editions!

That said however, the DVDs are an improvement, if only slightly, over the Special Editions. My two biggest qualms with them have been rectified, one fully and the other partially. The former was Luke's scream as he jumped and fell in Cloud City - they have removed it entirely. The inclusion of the scream (it didn't even sound like him) in the Special Edition took away Luke's integrity ... remember, jumping was his own choice. Second was the controversial Greedo shooting Han first scene in the Cantina. This time, Han and Greedo trade shots almost simultaneously which is a compromise of sorts.

What does this all mean? Together with some other minor changes, it looks like Lucas does listen to the fans. Remember what happened to Jar-Jar in AOTC? His role was drastically reduced. However, do not get your hopes too high for the release of the trilogy in its original form. For all you know, even if Lucas were to accede to our requests, the original masters may have completely deteriorated. So, probably what we would now want is the trilogy in its original narrative form but with spruced up audio and visuals ... food for thought! Did everyone also realise that The Phantom Menace DVD is not the original movie version? There are additional minor scenes in that one ... so hang on to your Japanese Laserdisc if you have it!

I have no complaints with regards to the audio and visual quality of the DVDs, they are close to perfect. The most controversial addition must be the replacement of Sebastian Shaw with Hayden's Force Spirit at the end of ROTJ. Before we go ahead to slam Lucas, I am confident that it is the result of a major plot point in Revenge of the Sith ... and will be explained fully (if you think hard enough or participated in the forums such as the one on TheForce.Net, you would be able to realise why).

Well, I have bought the DVDs, watched them and have no regrets, even knowing that I may have to buy them all over again, especially if they came out on High Definition. Staunch Supporter or Foolish Fan? You decide.